Chapter 10: The Gregg Era

On Dec. 24, 1983, Forrest Gregg, a former Starr teammate and one of the premier offensive tackles in football history, became the Packers' ninth head coach. Gregg had led Cincinnati into Super Bowl XVI following the 1981 season. Gregg, whose 19-6 Cincinnati record over the 1981-82 seasons was the best in pro football, received a five-year contract.

In taking over, he declared, "I took this job to field a winning team. That will happen."

Gregg's prediction began to bear fruit in the second half of the 1984 season when the Packers rebounded from an injury-ridden 1-7 start to win seven of their last eight.

Because of injury and other complications, however, 1985 followed the '84 script, the Packers getting off to a 3-6 start before mounting a strong finish to again close at 8-8, winning five of their last seven.

Gregg, convinced the time had come to rebuild a team that was 8-8 three straight years, and was "starting to get old," made sweeping personnel changes in 1986. The young Packers, their task complicated by injuries to key performers, got off to an 0-6 start, then began to mature in midseason and finished 4-12.

Following the 1987 season, when the club finished third in the NFC Central (5-9-1), Gregg resigned (Jan. 15, 1988) to become head coach at his alma mater, Southern Methodist University.

Chapter 11: Infante Signs On

Nineteen days later (Feb. 3), Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Lindy Infante, recognized throughout the NFL as a brilliant innovator, signed a five-year contract. Plagued by turnovers and kicking problems, Infante's first team, in 1988, was 4-12, but left fans with hopes for the future by winning its last two games.

Building on that positive note, Infante in 1989 led the Packers to a 10-6 record -- their best in 17 years -- and within one game of the playoffs, spicing that turnabout with a league-record four one-point victories.

In 1990, subsequent high hopes for the team's first postseason berth in a non-strike year since 1972, evaporated when the Packers -- with a contending, 6-5 record after 11 games -- ended the year with five straight losses.

The Packers' continued to decline in 1991 (4-12). New executive vice president/general manager Ron Wolf dismissed Infante Dec. 22. Green Bay had hired Wolf, Nov. 27, with full football operations authority.

Chapter 12: The Holmgren Era

Wolf named Mike Holmgren, offensive architect of San Francisco's four-time Super Bowl champions, to succeed Infante, Jan. 11, 1992. Holmgren, sought by five other clubs, got a five-year contract.

In his first season, 1992, the former USC field general directed the Packers to a 9-7 record and within sight of the playoffs. He became only the third Packers head coach with a winning record in his first season, punctuated by a six-game winning streak, the team's longest since 1965.

Holmgren took his team to the playoffs in 1993 -- despite losing four starters to injury. Forging a second straight 9-7 record -- against a considerably more demanding schedule -- Green Bay got its first playoff berth in 10 years. In the first round, the Packers came from behind in the last minute to eliminate Detroit, 28-24. They then fell at Dallas, 27-17, in the divisional round.

In 1994, the Packers registered a third consecutive 9-7 mark and second straight playoff trip -- the first time that had happened since the Titletown days of the '60s. Riding a three-game winning streak into the postseason, they parlayed a record defensive performance and a turnover-free offensive effort into a 16-12 victory over Detroit -- their first home playoff game since the 1982 season -- holding the incomparable Barry Sanders to minus-1 yard in 13 attempts. The Packers advanced without the services of All-Pro receiver Sterling Sharpe, whose neck injury, diagnosed after the regular-season finale, ended his brilliant Green Bay career. For a second straight year, the Packers' run ended in Dallas, 35-9.

Closing ranks with great results following Sharpe's loss, the 1995 Packers put together one of the hallmark seasons in their history. Winning six of their last seven games, they captured their first NFC Central Division crown since 1972, then made their best postseason showing in more than 28 years, forging all the way to the NFC Championship Game.

En route, they closed the regular season 11-5 -- their best mark since the 1966 NFL championship club (12-2) -- and followed by dispatching the Falcons, 37-20, in a first-round playoff at Lambeau Field. Building on that triumph, the Packers mounted one of the premier performances in their postseason history, formally dethroning the defending Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers in their own stadium, 3Com Park, 27-17. Again, however, dreams of a Super Bowl floundered in Dallas, 38-27, in the NFC title game, after leading 27-24 at the end of three quarters.

Putting nearly three decades of disappointment emphatically behind, the Packers rewarded their long-patient faithful in 1996. Shunting aside eight of their first nine foes, they swept to a 13-3 record and their second straight division championship. Then, they captured their first NFL title since 1967, dispatching New England, 35-21, in Super Bowl XXXI at the Louisiana Superdome.

Displaying impressive consistency on both sides of the ball, they documented their superiority, outscoring three opponents 100-48 in a postseason sweep. Appropriately, the first two wins were before their Lambeau loyalists -- a 35-14 divisional triumph over the 49ers and a 30-13 win over the upstart Carolina Panthers in the NFC title game.

In winning a 12th NFL championship, extending their own league record, the Packers joined an elite group of teams with three-or-more Super Bowls (Dallas, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Oakland and Washington).

The Packers thus entered 1997 with an opportunity to win back-to-back Super Bowls for a second time -- and came breathtakingly close to achieving their objective. Sweeping to a second consecutive 13-3 mark, tying a club record with 13 wins, they primed for the playoffs by ending the season with five straight wins. After a third consecutive division title, they launched their bid at Lambeau Field in workmanlike fashion, turning back Tampa Bay in the divisional playoff, 21-7. The win padded their all-time home-field postseason record to 12-0, extending the longest such winning streak in pro football history.

Forced to win on the road for a return to the ultimate game, the Packers smothered the 49ers on a soggy, rain-swept afternoon in San Francisco, 23-10. Garnering a berth in the Super Bowl, Green Bay held the Niners without an offensive touchdown.

In a see-saw affair, Super Bowl XXXII in San Diego found the Packers trailing Denver at halftime, 17-14. Hopes of a repeat were high, however, when quarterback Brett Favre engineered an 85-yard drive, knotting the contest, 24-24, early in the fourth quarter. But the Broncos later scored with only 1:45 remaining and a last-minute Packers drive fell short when Favre's pass for tight end Mark Chmura fell incomplete inside the Denver 20, with only 28 seconds left, sealing the Broncos' 31-24 win.

A third straight Super Bowl trip, a realistic goal at the outset, eluded the Packers in 1998, their 80th season. Historic accomplishment, however, did not as they advanced to the playoffs for the sixth year in a row, a team record, while posting a seventh consecutive winning season. Green Bay overcame multiple injuries, including the loss of Pro Bowl running back Dorsey Levens (out nine games) and center Frank Winters (stretch run and postseason), each with a broken leg. They set another team record by stretching their Lambeau Field winning streak to 25 games -- the second-longest in NFL history -- before falling to the Minnesota Vikings Oct. 5. They finished 11-5, equaling another team standard by posting a double-digit victory total for the fourth consecutive year (11-5 in 1995, 13-3 in both 1996 and 1997). The only other time Green Bay had strung together four seasons of 10-plus wins was 67 years earlier -- Lambeau's triple NFL champions of 1929-32 (12-0-1 in 1929, 10-3-1 in 1930, 12-2 in 1931 and 10-3-1 in 1932).

In the wake of these considerable achievements, the Packers' season came to a dramatic and painful end in an NFC Wild Card game at San Francisco, when a 27-23 lead abruptly dissolved into a 30-27 49ers victory. Steve Young's 25-yard touchdown pass to Terrell Owens sealed the game with just three seconds left. Only five days later, Holmgren resigned to become head coach and direct football operations for the Seattle Seahawks.

Chapter 13: Rough Rhode(s)

Moving swiftly, Wolf tabbed Ray Rhodes, former Eagles head coach and Green Bay defensive coordinator, as the Packers' 12th head coach, Jan. 11, 1999. The Packers launched 1999 under Rhodes in breathtaking fashion, literally winning three of the first four in the last minute. Fate, however, suddenly stopped smiling as Green Bay (8-8) missed the playoffs for the first time since 1992, ending seven straight winning seasons. Saying the Packers lacked the needed toughness and fire, Wolf relieved Rhodes soon after the season finale.

Chapter 14: The Sherman Tenure

After searching more than two weeks, Wolf surprised many NFL observers by naming Mike Sherman as the Packers' 13th head coach, Jan. 18, 2000. Sherman in 2000 surmounted multiple injuries, including Favre's prolonged bout with elbow tendinitis, and finished 9-7, inches from the playoffs.

One month after a stirring finish -- a four-game winning streak -- Wolf retired as the team's executive vice president and general manager, Feb. 1, 2001, and president Bob Harlan quickly named Sherman to replace Wolf. Sherman became the first head coach with the GM title since Starr in 1980.

Wolf's impressive nine-year tenure included 101 total victories (including eight in the playoffs) and the NFL's best regular-season record (83-45) since the 1993 advent of free agency.

Now with full authority over football, Sherman answered in 2001 by returning the Packers to the playoffs, improving his winning percentage to .656 (21-11), best ever over a Packers coach's first two years. Behind Favre and explosive Ahman Green (1,981 yards from scrimmage) the Packers went 12-4, but couldn't grasp the division title, despite sweeping the division champion Bears. The Packers knocked off the Niners in a Wild Card playoff, but couldn't get past eventual NFC champion St. Louis.

In 2002, Green Bay overcame an injury-plagued season to tie for the league's best record, 12-4. Despite injured starters missing 63 combined games, the Packers clinched their division, the inaugural NFC North title, on Dec. 1. Favre finished two votes shy of a fourth MVP, and defensively, behind Pro Bowler Darren Sharper, the team ranked third in the NFL against the pass and led the league with 45 takeaways, six more than any other team. But Michael Vick and the Falcons became the first team ever to beat the Packers at home in the playoffs.

A return to the NFC Championship slipped painfully through the Packers' fingers in 2003. Donovan McNabb led the Eagles to a come-from-behind, 20-17 overtime win to end an emotional Packers run in the Divisional playoffs.

The loss snapped a memorable five-game winning streak. The stretch included changes to three of the most-revered records in Packers history (Forrest Gregg's 33-year-old consecutive-games streak, broken by Favre; Jim Taylor's 41-year-old season rushing record, Green; and Don Hutson's 58-year-old career scoring mark, Ryan Longwell). Green Bay captured an improbable division title in the last two minutes of the season, when Arizona upset Minnesota and the Lambeau Field crowd broke the news to the Packers.

Green spearheaded the best running offense in Packers history, as the club captured nearly every franchise rushing mark. Favre led the NFL in TD passes a fourth time to tie a league record, throwing 19 of his 32 scores with a broken right thumb.

Adding to the hallmark of Sherman's tenure, the Packers overcame a 1-4 start in 2004, the club's roughest since 1991, to finish 10-6 and win a third straight division title. The 9-2 stretch run featured four wins on last-second field goals by Longwell, including a 34-31 division-clinching win in Minnesota on Christmas Eve.

However, just two weeks later the same Vikings avenged the loss with a 31-17 win in a Wild Card playoff at Lambeau Field.

On Jan. 14, 2005, Harlan restructured the team's football operations, naming Ted Thompson general manager, with full authority over football decisions. Harlan said he based the decision on his belief in a preferred structure -- separate individuals for the GM and head coach positions.

Only 37 minutes into the 2005 regular season, the Packers lost leading receiver Javon Walker (knee). In the ensuing weeks, the team also lost starting halfback Green (quadricep) and several other key offensive performers, contributing to a 4-12 mark.

Following the season, Jan. 2, saying it was time for a new face to lead the team, Thompson dismissed Sherman.

Chapter 15: The Present

Thompson underwent a grueling nine-day search to tab Mike McCarthy the franchise's 14th head coach (Jan. 12, 2006).

McCarthy guided the Packers to a resilient four-game winning streak to close his first season as head coach with an 8-8 record, keeping the team in contention for the playoffs until the final weekend of 2006, when mere percentage points dubbed the Giants the NFC's last postseason qualifier.

McCarthy was disappointed the Packers just missed the playoffs, particularly because the team was as healthy as it had been all season and was playing its best football the last month. But the NFL's youngest club carried that momentum into 2007, winning its first four games and ultimately tying the franchise record for regular-season victories with a 13-3 mark.

With Joe Philbin taking over as offensive coordinator for Jeff Jadodzinski (who left to become head coach at Boston College), Ryan Grant emerging at midseason as a feature back, and Favre enjoying a brilliant final season, the offense finished second in the league, its highest ranking since 1983.

Receiver Donald Driver and defensive end Aaron Kampman both went to the Pro Bowl for a second straight year, while McCarthy tied Sherman's team mark for the most wins by a head coach in his first two seasons (21).

Grant then posted franchise playoff records of 201 rushing yards and three touchdowns in a 42-20 snow-filled NFC playoff triumph over Seattle at Lambeau, but the club's quest for a fifth Super Bowl appearance came up agonizingly short.

In the third-coldest game in NFL championship history, with a temperature of minus-1 and wind-chill of minus-23 at kickoff, Green Bay fell at home 23-20 in overtime to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship Game.

Six weeks later, Favre announced his retirement, ending a Hall of Fame career with virtually every significant NFL passing record. The torch has now been passed to Aaron Rodgers, and when Favre's jersey is retired in the 2008 season opener at Lambeau Field, a quarterback other than Favre will start a game for Green Bay for the first time in 16 years.

1919

* Packers founded at meetings in editorial room of Green Bay Press-Gazette (Aug. 11 and 14).

1921

* J.E. Clair of Acme Packing Company granted American Professional Football Association franchise for Green Bay Packers (Aug. 27); league renamed NFL in 1922.
* Packers-Bears series launched at Chicago (Nov. 27); Packers lose 20-0 to Staleys, who changed name to Bears in 1922.

1922

* Packers disciplined for using college players under assumed names, Clair turns franchise back to league, (Jan. 28). Curly Lambeau promises to obey rules, uses $50 of own money to buy back franchise for $250.
* Bad weather, low attendance plague Packers, merchants raise $2,500, public non-profit corporation set up under direction of A.B. Turnbull; Lambeau remains general manager, coach.

1923

* Andrew B. Turnbull is elected first president of Green Bay Football Corporation (Aug. 23).

1925

* Packers beat Bears for first time, 14-10, in fourth regular-season meeting (Sept. 27).
* City Stadium dedicated, 6,000 initial capacity (Sept. 20).

1927

* Packers surprise "Big Town" skeptics, shut out football Yankees, 13-0, in first New York appearance (Oct. 23).

1929

* Packers sign B Johnny Blood (McNally), T Cal Hubbard, G Mike Michalske, win first NFL title, posting 12-0-1 record.

1930

* Packers win second straight NFL title (10-3-1).

1931

* Packers capture third consecutive NFL championship, extending unbeaten streak to 22 games, finish 12-2-0.

1932

* Packers just miss winning fourth straight title with 10-3-1 mark, Bears winning crown with 7-1-6 record because ties not counted in standings.

1934

* Fan falls from stands at (old) City Stadium, sues Packers and wins $5,000 verdict. Insurance company goes out of business and Packers go into receivership, about to fold, but local Green Bay businessmen come to rescue, raise $15,000 in new capital and reorganize club.

1935

* Don Hutson of Alabama, to become most-feared pass receiver in pro football history, signed by Packers.

1936

* Packers make Russ Letlow, University of San Francisco guard, their No. 1 choice in first NFL Draft (Feb. 😎.
* Packers win fourth NFL championship, first under playoff system. Post 11-1-1 record, defeating Boston Redskins for title in New York's Polo Grounds, 21-6, after George Preston Marshall moves game (Dec. 13).

1938

* Packers win Western Division championship, lose to Giants in NFL title game at New York, 23-17 (Dec. 11).

1939

* Packers repeat for Western Division title, rout Giants in title game at Milwaukee, 27-0 (Dec. 10).

1941

* Packers tie Bears for Western Division title, fall to Bears in Chicago playoff, 33-14 (Dec. 14).

1944

* Ted Fritsch scores both touchdowns, Packers beat Giants 14-7 at New York's Polo Grounds for sixth NFL title (Dec. 17).

1945

* Don Hutson catches four TD passes, kicks five PATs in second quarter against Detroit at Milwaukee, sets all-time single-quarter scoring record (29 points), Packers win, 57-21 (Oct. 7).

1949

* Packers play Thanksgiving intra-squad game at (old) City Stadium, raise $50,000 to stay afloat financially.
* Packers dip to all-time low under Curly Lambeau, 2-10-0 (they were 3-9-0 in 1948).

1950

* Lambeau resigns to become vice president, head coach of Chicago Cardinals.
* Gene Ronzani, ex-Bears star, named head coach, V.P.
* Stock drive nets $118,000, puts team on sound financial base.
* "New" Packers introduce green uniforms.

1953

* Packers debut in new Milwaukee County Stadium (Sept. 27).
* Ronzani resigns with two games remaining; Hugh Devore and Ray "Scooter" McLean named co-coaches.

1954

* Lisle Blackbourn, Marquette University coach, named third Packers coach.

1957

* City Stadium (renamed Lambeau Field in 1965), completed just in time for season opener, dedicated (Sept. 29) with 21-17 victory over Bears.
* Packers post 3-9-0 mark following 4-8-0 in 1956, Blackbourn resigns.

1958

* Likable assistant Ray "Scooter" McLean promoted to head coach.
* Dominic Olejniczak elected seventh president of Green Bay Packers, Inc., April 28.
* McLean resigns after worst year in Packers history (1-10-1).

1959

* Vince Lombardi, offensive assistant of New York Giants, named Packers' head coach and GM (Feb. 4).
* Packers (7-5) mark first winning season in 12 years.

1960

* Packers win Western Division crown, first since 1944, but lose to Eagles in NFL title game, 17-13 (Dec. 26).
* Paul Hornung scores 176 points, an NFL record until 2006.

1961

* Packers rout N.Y. Giants, 37-0, for seventh NFL championship, first title game ever played in Green Bay (Dec. 31).

1962

* Packers beat Giants at Yankee Stadium, 16-7, for second straight league crown (Dec. 30).

1965

* E.L. "Curly" Lambeau, Packers' founder and first coach, dies at age 67 (June 1); stadium renamed Lambeau Field (Sept. 11).
* Packers defeat Baltimore Colts, 13-10, at Green Bay in sudden-death Western Conference playoff (first overtime in team history) on Don Chandler's 25-yard field goal at 13:39 of overtime (Dec. 26).
* After removing four inches of snow, Packers beat Cleveland Browns, 23-12, for ninth NFL title (Jan. 2, 1966).

1966

* Game-ending end zone interception by Tom Brown enables Packers to down Cowboys, 34-27, in Dallas for second straight NFL title (Jan. 1, 1967).

1967

* Packers defeat AFL's Chiefs, 35-10, at Los Angeles in first "Super Bowl," (Jan. 15).
* Packers win "Ice Bowl," edge Cowboys, 21-17, for third consecutive NFL title; Bart Starr's last-minute, 1-yard sneak wins game in 13-below temperature (Dec. 31).

1968

* Packers beat Oakland, 33-14, in second "Super Bowl" at Miami, (Jan. 14); contest is first-ever $3 million gate.
* Lombardi steps down as Packers head coach, stays as general manager; Phil Bengtson named coach (Feb. 1).

1969

* Lombardi resigns to become part-owner, executive vice president and head coach of Washington Redskins (Feb. 5); Bengtson named Packers' GM.

1970

* Lombardi dies at age 57 (Sept. 3).
* Bengtson resigns (Dec. 21).

1971

* Dan Devine, University of Missouri coach, named as Packers' head coach and general manager (Jan. 14).

1972

* Packers win first division title since 1967 (10-4), but lose to Redskins in divisional playoff at Washington, 16-3 (Dec. 24).

1974

* Devine resigns (Dec. 16), following 5-7-2 mark in 1973 and 6-8-0 in 1974.
* Bart Starr, who quarterbacked Packers to five NFL titles in seven years during 1960s, named head coach and general manager, (Dec. 24).

1982

* Judge Robert J. Parins elected Packers president (May 31), succeeding Dominic Olejniczak, becoming first full-time chief executive in team's history.
* Packers build 55,000-square foot indoor facility.
* Packers make playoffs for first time since 1972, defeat St. Louis in first round (41-16, Jan. 8, 1983) before losing to Dallas (37-26, Jan. 16).

1983

* Starr released as head coach (Dec. 19).
* Former Packers great Forrest Gregg named head coach (Dec. 24), agreeing to five-year contract.

1985

* Packers build 72 private boxes at Lambeau Field, increasing stadium seating capacity to 56,926.

1986

* Packers report first $2 million annual profit in their history ($2,029,154).
* Green Bay Packers Foundation, vehicle to assure continued contributions to charity, established (Dec. 30).

1987

* Fred N. Trowbridge, longtime Packers treasurer and executive committee member, dies (March 14).
* Packers report first-ever $3 million profit ($3,018,000).

1988

* Gregg resigns to become head coach at alma mater, Southern Methodist University (Jan. 15).
* Lindy Infante, Browns offensive coordinator, named Packers head coach, agreeing to five-year contract (Feb. 3).

1989

* Judge Robert J. Parins retires as president of Packer Corporation, elected honorary chairman of the board (June 5).
* Bob Harlan is elected president and chief executive officer of Packer Corporation, succeeding Judge Parins (June 5).
* Packers announce plans for construction of 1,920 club seats -- a "first" for Lambeau Field -- in south end zone and 36 additional private boxes at a projected cost of $8,263,000 (Aug. 22).

1990

* Packers extend Infante's contract two years -- through the 1994 season (Jan. 16).

1991

* Michael R. Reinfeldt, former Pro Bowl safety and Los Angeles Raiders executive, becomes Packers' first chief financial officer (Jan. 7).
* Names of Packers' Pro Football Hall of Famers are placed on the walls of Lambeau Field's private boxes with team's championship years emblazoned in the south end zone.
* Tom Braatz, executive vice president of football operations, relieved of his duties (Nov. 20).
* Ron Wolf, N.Y. Jets director of player personnel and veteran of 29 years as pro football scout and executive, named executive vice president and general manager by Harlan, with full authority over Packers' football operation (Nov. 27).
* Infante is relieved as head coach by Wolf (Dec. 22).

1992

* Mike Holmgren, offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers, is named by Wolf as the 11th head coach in Packers' history (Jan. 11).
* Wolf deals first-round draft pick to Atlanta for prodigy quarterback Brett Favre (Feb. 10).
* Holmgren becomes only third head coach in Packers' history to have winning record in his first season (9-7).

1993

* Packers sign most sought-after free agent, Reggie White (April 😎.
* Treasurer John R. Underwood reports then-record corporation profit of $4.96 million before booking of $4.1 million for share of NFL litigation with players (May 26).
* New 20,500 square-foot addition to Packers' training quarters, housing 84-by-70 foot gymnasium and new PR and marketing offices, is completed in July.
* LeRoy Butler invents 'Lambeau Leap' and Packers shut out Los Angeles Raiders, 28-0, in -22 degree wind chill, gain playoffs for first time since 1982 (Dec. 26).

1994

* Packers defeat Detroit Lions in wild-card playoff, 28-24, for first postseason victory since Jan., 1983 (Jan. 😎.
* Packers extend contract of Wolf as executive vice president/general manager for three additional years, through 1999 (March 31).
* Harlan announces plans to construct 90 additional private boxes and auxiliary press box in Lambeau Field's north end zone in 1995 (April 21).
* The Don Hutson Center, Packers' new, $4.67-million indoor practice facility, is dedicated (July 18).
* Harlan announces that, beginning with the 1995 season, the Packers will leave Milwaukee and play their entire 10-game home schedule at Green Bay's Lambeau Field (Oct. 12).
* Packers end 62-year Milwaukee stay on winning note, beat Atlanta at County Stadium 21-17 (Dec. 18).
* Mounting 28-6 halftime lead, Packers top Tampa Bay 34-19, qualify for NFL playoffs for second year in a row. In process, close season with 9-7 record, thus posting third consecutive winning campaign for first time since 1965-67 (Dec. 24).
* Packers defeat Detroit in wild-card playoff, 16-12, recording franchise's 15th postseason win (Dec. 31).

1995

* Wide receiver Sterling Sharpe, Packers' career receptions leader, is released "with reluctance" (Feb. 28).
* Construction of 90 additional private boxes in Lambeau Field's north end zone is completed (August).
* Packers defeat Pittsburgh Steelers, 24-19, at Lambeau Field in regular-season finale (Dec. 24), clinch first NFC Central Division championship since 1972.
* Packers beat Falcons, 37-20, in first-round playoff game, maintain team's perfect (9-0) home playoff record (Dec. 31).

1996

* Packers stun defending Super Bowl champion San Francisco, 27-17, in divisional playoff in 49ers' 3Com Park (Jan. 6).
* Treasurer John R. Underwood reports then-record organization profit of $5,440,628 at annual stockholders' meeting (May 29).
* Packers complete $4-million Lambeau Field project in August, installing second replay board and two new scoreboards to fully enclose stadium.
* The design of a stamp bearing likeness of former Packers coach Vince Lombardi is unveiled in Lambeau Field (Nov. 3).
* Packers clinch second consecutive NFC Central Division championship with 41-6 victory over Denver (Dec. 😎.

1997

* Packers vanquish 49ers, 35-14, in divisional playoff at Lambeau Field (Jan. 4).
* Packers beat Carolina Panthers in NFC Championship Game, 30-13, earn first Super Bowl trip since 1967 (Jan. 12).
* Packers defeat New England Patriots, 35-21, in Super Bowl XXXI at Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans (Jan. 26), claim 12th NFL title.
* With the wind chill registering a frigid 0 to 10 degrees below zero during a three-hour parade through the city, an estimated 200,000 enthusiastic fans welcome Packers home from Super Bowl victory. Another 60,000 jam Lambeau Field for official program hailing the World Champions (Jan. 27).
* Packers extend contract of Wolf as executive vice president/ general manager for three additional years, through 2002 (April 😎.
* Treasurer John R. Underwood reports, at annual shareholders meeting, then-record net income for Packer Corporation of $5,877,061 for fiscal 1996 (May 28).
* Work is completed on installation of new playing surface, including modern heating and irrigation systems, in Lambeau Field (June 15).
* Don Hutson, most feared pass receiver in pro football history, dies at age 84 (June 26).
* Packers establish own Web site, packers.com (July 23).
* Packers' two practice fields are named Clarke Hinkle Field and Ray Nitschke Field in honor of two of team's Pro Football Hall of Fame members, Wolf announces (July 24).
* Quarterback Brett Favre signs a seven-year contract, longest in Packers history, and one making him -- at time of signing -- highest-paid player in the history of pro football (July 25).
* Gross Avenue in Village of Ashwaubenon is renamed and dedicated as Holmgren Way in honor of Packers head coach (Aug. 17). Street, poetically, intersects Lombardi Avenue.
* At a special meeting, Packers' shareholders approve the issuance of additional stock for the first time since 1950 (Nov. 13), with offering of 400,000 shares at $200 per share.
* Packers' designated national clearing house receives 55,000 phone calls concerning new stock issue within 24 hours following announcement of sale (Nov. 14).
* Packers clinch postseason berth for record fifth straight year (Dec. 1) with 27-11 victory over Minnesota Vikings.
* Packers capture third consecutive NFC Central Division title via 17-6 victory over Buccaneers in Tampa (Dec. 7), earn first-round bye in playoffs and right to host divisional playoff.

1998

* Gaining berth in NFC Championship for third straight year, Packers defeat Tampa Bay, 21-7, in divisional playoff (Jan. 4).
* Packers earn second consecutive trip to the Super Bowl with 23-10 victory over 49ers at San Francisco in NFC Championship Game (Jan. 11).
* Last-minute drive falls short of tie, Packers lose to Denver Broncos, 31-24, in Super Bowl XXXII at San Diego (Jan. 25). Record, world-wide audience of 800 million, in 147 countries, views game on TV.
* More than 25,000 fans turn out in Lambeau Field to welcome Packers home from Super Bowl XXXII (Jan. 27).
* Legendary linebacker Ray Nitschke, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, dies in Florida at age 61 (March 😎.
* Harlan announces that stock sale, which ended March 16, yielded nearly 106,000 new shareholders, more than $24 million (March 17).
* With huge increase in number of "owners," Packers make corporate history, hold shareholders meeting in Lambeau Field for first time (July 😎. Record crowd of 18,707 attends. For the third consecutive year, treasurer John R. Underwood reports then-record net income for the Packer Corporation, $6,718,628 for fiscal 1997.
* Packers travel to Japan, the team's first trip overseas in its 80-year history, defeat Kansas City Chiefs, 27-24 in overtime, in American Bowl game at Tokyo Dome (Aug. 2).
* Packers extend regular-season, home-field winning streak to a club-record 25 games -- the second-longest streak in NFL history -- with 23-15 win over Tampa Bay (Sept. 13).
* Home-field winning streak ends at 25 against Minnesota, 37-24, on rainy Monday night (Oct. 5).
* Packers clinch playoff berth for team-record sixth consecutive year (Dec. 19).

1999

* Favre engineeers 89-yard drive to give Packers 27-23 lead with 1:56 left in NFC Wild Card playoff at San Francisco, but 49ers score with three seconds left to win 30-27 (Jan. 3).
* Holmgren resigns to become executive vice president of football operations/general manager/head coach of Seattle Seahawks (Jan. 😎.
* Ray Rhodes, former Eagles head coach and ex-Green Bay defensive coordinator, named Packers' 12th head coach (Jan. 11).
* John M. Jones named senior vice president of administration, succeeding Michael Reinfeldt (Feb. 10).
* Reggie White, a Pro Bowl selection for a record 13 consecutive years, announces his retirement, ending one of the most distinguished playing careers in NFL history (Feb. 15).
* Lambeau Field is named by Sports Illustrated in June as the eighth-best venue in the world to watch sports, the only NFL stadium to make the publication's list of 20.
* Largest crowd ever to see Packers play a game in Wisconsin, 78,184, watches Green Bay defeat Denver, 27-12, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. (Aug. 23).
* White, the sure-fire Hall of Fame defensive end who played six distinguished seasons for the Packers from 1993-98, has his jersey retired at halftime of nationally televised game with Tampa Bay. An emotional White tells the crowd, "I have been honored and privileged to have been a Packer, and I will always be a Packer" (Oct. 10).

2000

* Wolf relieves Rhodes as head coach (Jan. 3).
* Mike Sherman, Seattle offensive coordinator and 21-year coaching veteran, named as 13th head coach in Packers history by Wolf (Jan. 18).
* Packers President Bob Harlan announces plans for proposed $295 million redevelopment of Lambeau Field (Jan. 22).
* Gov. Tommy Thompson, on Lambeau Field, signs state legislature's stadium renovation bill into law, making possible a 0.5 percent sales tax to fund $160 million in construction bonds or loans for the redevelopment of Lambeau Field (May 13).
* Organization suffered $419,000 operating loss for fiscal 1999, treasurer John R. Underwood reports at annual shareholders' meeting (July 12).
* By a margin of 53-47 percent, Brown County voters approve a referendum establishing a half-cent per dollar sales tax to help fund the redevelopment of Lambeau Field (Sept. 12).
* The design for a new Green Bay Packers license plate, to be available early in 2001, is unveiled by Gov. Thompson at Lambeau Field (Oct. 15).

2001

* Green Bay/Brown County Professional Stadium District Board approves new Lambeau Field lease agreement between the district, the Packers and the City of Green Bay; the primary term of the lease is to run 30 years after the opening of the redeveloped stadium in 2003 (Jan. 3).
* Wolf retires as executive vice president and general manager, a position he had held since 1991 while leading the Packers to Super Bowl heights (Feb. 1).
* Harlan names Sherman to succeed Wolf as GM (Feb. 1).
* Al Treml, the only video director in team history, announces his retirement, effective July 15, after 34 years (Feb. 13).
* Favre signs a "lifetime" contract, assuring he will finish his playing career with the team (Feb. 28).
* Sherman names Mark Hatley as vice president of football operations (May 17).
* Packers, with help of Gov. Scott McCallum, stage ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony in stadium for Lambeau Field redevelopment project (May 19).
* NFL unanimously approves $13 million loan to the Packers for use in financing the Lambeau Field redevelopment (May 23).
* Packers host first Monday night game after Sept. 11 attacks; American flag is held by Wisconsin police and firefighters, and members of both teams (Sept. 24).

2002

* Packers defeat 49ers, 25-15, in NFC Wild Card (Jan. 13).
* Team stung in divisional playoffs at St. Louis, 45-17 (Jan. 20).
* Packers Foundation reaches $1 million mark in grants (May 1).
* Packers football operations moves into new offices, locker room and team facilities (July 15).
* New Packers Pro Shop opens at corner of Lambeau Field Atrium (July 27).
* "Under construction" Lambeau Field hosts first organized game, preseason contest vs. Cleveland, with new private boxes, press box and concourses (Aug. 26).
* Team clinches inaugural NFC North championship, in 30-20 win over Chicago, with four games left (Dec. 1).

2003

* Team sustains first-ever home playoff loss, to Atlanta (Jan. 4).
* At annual shareholders meeting, treasurer John R. Underwood announces after-tax operating profit of $15.5 million for 2002-03 fiscal year, allowing team to build its corporate reserve fund to $58 million, the safety net for a publicly owned team without a billionaire owner (July 15).
* Spectacular 14-foot statues of Curly Lambeau and Vince Lombardi unveiled in plaza outside Atrium (Aug. 27).
* Team names same plaza after Robert E. Harlan (Sept. 2).
* Starr and Wolf dedicate stunning new Packers Hall of Fame (Sept. 4).
* Legendary players return to Green Bay, re-enact Starr's Ice Bowl sneak, in 'Rebirth of a Legend' event (Sept. 6).
* Two middle-school students and a host of dignitaries, including Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, rededicate Lambeau Field at halftime of season opener. Vikings spoil day, 30-25 (Sept. 7).
* Running backs coach Sylvester Croom becomes the Southeastern Conference's first-ever black head football coach, taking over Mississippi State program (Dec. 2).
* Ahman Green breaks Jim Taylor's single-season franchise rushing mark, and Ryan Longwell breaks Hutson's Packers career scoring record, at San Diego (Dec. 14).
* At Oakland (Dec. 22), Favre authors finest career game, throwing for 399 yards and four TDs, in Monday night win, little more than 24 hours after his father's death.
* After winning seven of last nine to keep pace, Packers capitalize on miraculous Minnesota loss at Arizona, clinch last-minute playoff berth and NFC North title, with win vs. Denver (Dec. 28).

2004

* Al Harris' overtime interception return wins NFC Wild Card playoff vs. Seattle (Jan. 4).
* Inches from the NFC championship, Packers sustain heartbreaking, 20-17 overtime loss at Philadelphia (Jan. 11).
* Packers name Lee Remmel team historian (Feb. 19).
* Hatley, vice president of football operations, dies suddenly of heart failure (July 26).
* Corporate treasurer John R. Underwood announces after tax-operating profit of $20.8 million for 2003-04 fiscal year at annual shareholders meeting (July 28). Team's then-record financial success, derived in part from the new Lambeau Field Atrium and an increase in stadium capacity of more than 7,000 over the prior year, ups corporation reserve fund to $84.5 million.
* John 'Red' Cochran, who served the organization for 42 years as an assistant coach and scout -- and still was scouting for the team -- passes away at age 82 (Sept. 5).
* Packers clinch third straight NFC North title on last-second Longwell field goal, win at Minnesota, 34-31 (Dec. 24).
* White, who helped return glory to Titletown during 1990s, passes away in North Carolina (Dec. 26). Packers fly contingent of roughly 50 to funeral services, apply "92" decal to helmets.

2005

* Minnesota Vikings, swept by the Packers in the regular season, stun Green Bay in Lambeau Field Wild Card playoff, 31-17 (Jan. 9).
* Harlan names Ted Thompson Executive Vice President, General Manager & Director of Football Operations, with full authority over football decisions. Sherman becomes Executive Vice President & Head Coach (Jan. 14).
* First annual Green Bay Packers Fan Fest in the Lambeau Field Atrium is an extraordinary success. Favre kicks off the weekend by officially announcing his return for a 15th season (March 11-13).
* The Packers and American Family Insurance announce a joint effort, through sales of a pink Packers Breast Cancer Cap, to promote breast cancer awareness, raise funds to support those afflicted and sustain research (July 7). With goal of $100,000, effort tops $1 million.
* At annual shareholders meeting (July 27), Larry Weyers reports record $25.4 million profit from operations during 2004- 05 fiscal year. Team also establishes the Packers Franchise Preservation Fund (PFPF), formerly the corporate reserve.
* Believed to be first time in broadcast history that an NFL practice is televised to a national audience, the Packers and Bills culminate two days of combined workouts with the annual Family Night scrimmage on NFL Network (Aug. 5).
* For just the fifth time in their rich history, the Packers retire a uniform number, the late Reggie White's No. 92 (Sept. 18).

2006

* One day after a 23-17 win over Seattle finalizes the Packers' first losing season since 1991, GM Thompson dismisses Sherman (Jan. 2).
* After a thorough and exhausting nine-day search, Thompson names Mike McCarthy the Packers' 14th head coach (Jan. 12).
* Lambeau Field hosts the Frozen Tundra Classic, a collegiate hockey game in which eventual national champion Wisconsin defeats Ohio State, 4-2. The event draws 40,890, a virtual sellout and the fourth-largest crowd ever to see an outdoor hockey game (Feb. 11).
* At team's quarterly Board meeting, Harlan formally becomes Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Jones becomes President and Chief Operating Officer (May 31).
* Annual shareholders meeting moves back to Lambeau Field; treasurer Larry Weyers reports $18 million profit from operations during 2005-06 fiscal year, saying Packers have moved to franchise-high seventh place in NFL team revenue rankings (July 19)
* Perennial All-Pro Reggie White, then the team's career sacks leader, becomes Packers' 21st representative in Pro Football Hall of Fame, receiving induction on first ballot (Aug. 5).

2007

* Work begins on Lambeau Field's new playing surface, a project that will equip the hallowed ground with the latest technology, DD GrassMaster. A natural-grass surface, reinforced with man-made fibers, is installed on top of a new drainage and heating system (Jan. 10).
* Team promotes Vicki Vannieuwenhoven to vice president of finance and Jason Wied to vice president of administration/corporate counsel (April 3).
* Team announces plans to celebrate 50th anniversary of Lambeau Field, the NFL's longest-tenured facility. An anniversary logo is created to mark the occasion with plans to feature it prominently, including on uniforms and on the field (May 15).
* The Executive Committee announces that John Jones, president and COO, has taken a leave of absence for personal reasons (May 26).
* At team's quarterly meeting, the Board of Directors unanimously supports a move that will allow Bob Harlan, then Chairman of the Board, to serve as the Packers' principal executive officer despite having reached the mandatory retirement age, 70 (May 30).
* The Executive Committee formally accepts resignation of Jones, who cites health concerns as reason for departure. A search committee for a new President and CEO, consisting of members of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors, is formed (July 20).
* At annual shareholders meeting, treasurer Weyers reports $22 million profit for 2006-07 fiscal year and a $10 million boost to PFPF, now at $125.5 million (July 25).
* For the first time since Aug. 5, 1961, Packers hold training camp practice at City Stadium, with nearly 3,500 in attendance (July 31).
* Favre throws his 421st career touchdown pass in victory at Minnesota, breaking Dan Marino's NFL career record (Sept. 30).
* Packers clinch first NFC North title and playoff berth since 2004 with win over Oakland (Dec. 9).
* Board of Directors unanimously elects Mark H. Murphy as Packers' new President and CEO. Schedule is established for Harlan to remain as Chairman through end of football season, when he then becomes Chairman Emeritus and Murphy officially assumes role as top executive (Dec. 3).
* Team historian Lee Remmel announces his retirement, effective at the end of the calendar year, ending 62-year association with franchise as a sportswriter and member of front office (Dec. 12).

2008

* GM Thompson signed to new five-year contract (Jan. 7).
* Packers overcome early 14-point deficit to defeat Seattle, 42-20, in NFC Divisional playoff at snow-covered Lambeau (Jan. 12).
* In third-coldest game in league championship history, with minus-1 temperature and minus-23 wind chill at kickoff, quest for fifth Super Bowl berth comes up agonizingly short with 23-20 overtime loss to eventual champion New York Giants (Jan. 20).
* Head Coach McCarthy signed to new five-year contract (Feb. 5).
* In awarding annual grants through Packers Foundation, franchise announces a comprehensive charity impact of more than $5 million in the past year (Feb. 19).
* Favre, owner of NFL career records for pass attempts, completions, yards and touchdowns, and the team's starting quarterback for the past 253 games (275 including playoffs), announces his retirement in a formal press conference at Lambeau Field (March 6).
* Packers announce Favre's No. 4 will be retired at Sept. 8 season opener vs. Minnesota, the sixth number retired in franchise history (April 17).